Medicinal honeysuckle cultivation and management points
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Honeysuckle is a perennial, evergreen vine that holds significant medicinal value. Cultivating high-quality medicinal honeysuckle requires careful attention to several key factors.
First, selecting the right variety is essential. Medicinal honeysuckle should have thick branches, a well-structured form, abundant flowering, and high yield. Varieties such as "Chicken Flower" and "Big Hair Flower" are considered superior for medicinal use due to their quality and productivity.
Next, choosing the right planting site is crucial. The land should be open, with loose soil, good drainage, and rich in organic matter. Sandy soils with high humus content are ideal. You can also utilize small plots like those behind houses, ditches, or ponds. For example, in some regions, farmers prepare raised beds 1.2 meters wide and 50 pounds of compost per square meter.
Propagation is typically done through cuttings. In early spring, before the plants start to sprout, select cuttings with 1–4 buds, remove the lower leaves, and insert them into a prepared bed. Keep them shaded and watered regularly, especially during dry periods. Once the cuttings take root and develop new leaves, gradually remove the shade and apply a diluted organic fertilizer every two weeks. As the seedlings grow, increase the fertilizer concentration and transplant them after about six months.
Proper management is essential for healthy growth. Fertilize before the plants emerge in early spring or before winter frost. Dig trenches around the plants and apply 10 kg of composted manure, 0.1 kg of ammonium sulfate, and 0.1 kg of superphosphate per plant. During May and June, apply decomposed organic fertilizer water 2–3 times to promote growth. To enhance flower bud formation and improve flower quality, spray 0.5–1% potassium dihydrogen phosphate on the leaves during the budding stage.
Pruning helps shape the plant into an ideal, compact form—like a small umbrella-shaped shrub. Cut the main stem at 30 cm, encouraging new growth from the lower buds, and keep 4–5 evenly spaced branches. Regular pruning removes old, weak, or diseased branches, reducing disease risk. Common pests include locusts and coffee tiger beetles. Locusts damage leaves and buds, while larvae of the latter feed inside the stems. Control methods include manually removing larvae or using cotton swabs soaked in dichlorvos to block entry points.
Diseases like honeysuckle brown spot appear in summer, causing leaf spots. Early treatment with Jinggangmycin is effective.
Harvesting should occur when the flowers are fully developed but not yet fully open. The base of the flower should be greenish, with a milky white top, bright color, and full appearance. Harvest on sunny days, before dew dries, and handle the flowers gently to avoid crushing. Dry them immediately after harvesting. On sunny days, spread the flowers on drying trays for natural sun-drying. On rainy days, use a heated drying room with temperature-controlled layers. Start at 30–35°C, gradually increase to 40°C, then to 45–50°C, and finally to 55°C. When the flowers are dry, they should be brittle, fragrant, and retain their medicinal properties. Continuous drying ensures better quality, making it the preferred method.